Job 38:1-7

1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said ,

2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.

4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare , if thou hast understanding.

5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest ? or who hath stretched the line upon it?

6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened ? or who laid the corner stone thereof;

7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Job 38:1-7 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 38

In this chapter the Lord takes up the controversy with Job; calls upon him to prepare to engage with him in it, and demands an answer to posing questions he puts to him, concerning the earth and the fabric of it, Job 38:1-7; concerning the sea, compared to an infant in embryo, at its birth, in its swaddling bands and cradle, Job 38:8-11; concerning the morning light, its spread and influence, Job 38:12-15; concerning the springs of the sea, the dark parts of the earth, the place both of light and darkness, Job 38:16-21; concerning the various meteors, snow, hail, rain, thunder, lightning, and the influences of the stars, Job 38:22-38; and concerning provision for lions and ravens, Job 38:40,41.

Footnotes

• [a]. answer...: Heb. make me know
• [b]. hast...: Heb. knowest understanding
• [c]. foundations: Heb. sockets